The Fruit Juices and Fruit Nectars (Wales) Regulations 2003

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations, which apply to Wales and come into force on 28th November 2003, implement Council Directive 2001/112/EC relating to fruit juices and certain similar products intended for human consumption (OJ No. L10, 12.1.2002, p.58). They revoke and replace the Fruit Juices and Fruit Nectars Regulations 1977, as amended, in relation to Wales.

The Regulations —

(a) prescribe definitions and reserved descriptions for certain designated fruit juice products (regulation 2(2) and Schedule 1);

(b) prescribe the raw materials, treatment processes and additional ingredients to be used in preparation of designated products (regulation 2(2) and Schedules 2,3 and 4);

(c) prescribe minimum fruit juice content for products bearing the reserved description “fruit nectar” (regulation 2(2) and Schedule 5);

(d) provide for the circumstances in which the Regulations apply (regulation 3);

(e) restrict the use of reserved descriptions to the designated products to which they relate (regulation 4);

(f) prescribe labelling requirements for such products (regulation 5);

(g) make provision as to the manner of marking and labelling of designated products (regulations 5 and 6);

(h) specify a penalty for contraventions and enforcement authorities (regulation 7);

(i) in accordance with Articles 2 and 3 of Council Directive 89/397/EEC on the official control of foodstuffs (OJ No. L186, 30.6.1989, p.23) and the European Economic Area Agreement, specify a defence in relation to exports (regulation 8);

(j) apply various provisions of the Food Safety Act 1990 (regulation 9);

(k) revoke the previous Regulations and make consequential amendments and transitional provision (regulation 10 and 11).

A Regulatory appraisal has been prepared pursuant to section 65 of the Government of Wales Act 1998 and placed in the library of the National Assembly for Wales together with a Transposition Note setting out how the main elements of the European legislation referred to above are transposed in these Regulations. Copies may be obtained from the Food Standards Agency, 11th Floor, Southgate House, Cardiff CF10 1EW.